Why We Love Working With Lauren
At Lillibrooke Manor, we’re fortunate to collaborate with some truly exceptional wedding suppliers — but every so often, someone comes along who feels like an extension of our team. Lauren Mitchell is absolutely one of those people.
Based in Berkshire but travelling far and wide, Lauren brings an infectious warmth, a down‑to‑earth energy, and a genuine love for storytelling to every wedding she photographs. As she says herself, she enjoys her job “as much as us Brits love a cozy fire,” and honestly, you can feel that joy in every frame she captures.
Lauren’s approach is beautifully natural and editorial. She’s the photographer who blends seamlessly into your morning preparations, chats easily with your guests, chases golden hour with you, and refuses to put her camera down after the first dance — in fact, she loves the dance floor. Her goal is simple but powerful: when you look at your images, she wants you to feel as though you’re right back in that moment, with all the emotion and atmosphere wrapped around you.
We adore working with her. Our couples adore her. And her photographs of Lillibrooke Manor are consistently breathtaking — full of light, movement, connection and authenticity.
To help future couples understand her process and her artistry, and to help you to get to know her better, we asked Lauren eight questions about photographing weddings at Lillibrooke.
The Moments That Stay With Us
You’ve captured so many unforgettable moments at Lillibrooke — which image still gives you goosebumps, and what was happening behind the scenes when you captured it?
“I’ve always loved photographing at Lillibrooke, no matter the season. It offers so many beautiful opportunities throughout the year, but one image that will always stay with me is of Adam and Zara on a summer evening. We had the most incredible golden hour, so we quietly slipped away from their guests for a few moments to capture their couple portraits. There’s one image where Adam lifts Zara and you can see nothing but tenderness and love between them, wrapped in that soft, golden light. It wasn’t posed or planned, it just happened naturally, and that’s what makes it so special. Behind the scenes, we were chatting about everyday life, laughing, and letting them simply be together after the excitement of the day. That image perfectly reflects what I love most about my work: authentic connection, real emotion, and those fleeting moments that can never be recreated.”
Seeing Lillibrooke Through a Photographer’s Eyes
When couples first walk around the venue with you, what creative possibilities do you immediately see through your lens that they might not notice at first glance?
“For me, it always starts with the light. When I walk into a venue like Lillibrooke, I’m instantly noticing how the light moves through the spaces, where it falls softly, where it creates shadows, and how that can be used to add depth, atmosphere and emotion to an image. It’s often something couples don’t immediately see because they’re understandably focused on the beauty of the venue itself, the rooms, the gardens, the architecture. I’m looking at how all of that will photograph. Beyond the light, I’m looking for layers and composition. How we can use archways, foliage, corridors or open spaces to create images that feel editorial but still completely natural. It’s about seeing potential in the quieter corners of a venue, not just the obvious spots.”
Unplanned Magic: The Beauty of Real Moments
You’re brilliant at finding magic in unexpected places. Can you share a favourite “unplanned” shot from a wedding here and tell us more about why that image came to mind?
“So many of my favourite images come from moments that were never planned, and funnily enough, they often happen right in front of the manor house. It’s usually after the formal group shots, when everyone relaxes a little. Sometimes it’s as simple as the bride and her bridesmaids having a spontaneous moment together, a quick laugh, a hug, or a burst of excitement. I never script those moments, I just respond to what’s unfolding and let the energy lead. The manor house makes the most beautiful backdrop, but it’s the connection and movement in front of it that brings the image to life. Those unplanned images are often the ones couples fall in love with the most, because they’re real. They reflect how the day actually felt, not how it was meant to look.”
Connecting With Couples: Lauren’s Signature Approach
Every couple has their own energy. How do you tune into their vibe and translate it into images that feel authentically them?
“Every couple brings their own energy to a wedding day, and I believe it starts with the connection we build before the wedding even arrives. So much of it comes down to personality and that initial ‘click’ during our first Zoom call. That’s where I begin to understand who they are, how they interact, and what really matters to them. I naturally seem to attract down-to-earth couples who want beautiful, meaningful photographs with a relaxed, modern feel and an editorial edge.
Through our conversations over Zoom, emails and WhatsApp, I get to know their dynamic, their sense of humour, their style, and their vision for the day. By the time their wedding arrives, I already feel in tune with their vibe. On the wedding day itself, I can blend in, read the room, and respond to their energy, whether that’s romantic and intimate, playful and fun, dramatic, or quirky. I never try to force a couple into a particular style. Instead, I adapt to them, allowing their personalities to naturally shape the images.”
Helping Couples Relax and Enjoy the Moment
Not everyone loves having their picture taken – how do you help your couples to relax in the moment and maybe even let their silly side out?
“There’s no special formula, I just chat. It’s never about rigid posing or making anyone feel like they’re ‘being photographed’. It’s more like going for a walk with friends and having a conversation. When couples realise they don’t need to perform or get anything ‘right’, they instantly relax. Because my approach is very natural, I let them be themselves. I might gently guide them into good light or a beautiful spot, but after that, I encourage them to talk, laugh, move, and interact in their own way. That’s when the genuine moments happen. Most couples tell me they’re nervous about being photographed, but by keeping everything easy, light-hearted and unforced, it becomes enjoyable rather than intimidating. It’s never about creating something that isn’t them, it’s about giving them the space to simply be themselves.”
Light, Atmosphere & Cinematic Style at Lillibrooke
Light, Atmosphere & Cinematic Style at LillibrookeLighting is such a huge part of your style. What times of day or hidden corners of the venue do you love most for creating those soft, cinematic frames you’re known for?
“Lighting is everything to me, it’s the foundation of how I shape my images. I’m very passionate about working with natural light and letting it guide the mood and emotion of a photograph. That soft, cinematic feel so many couples love comes from understanding how light behaves and knowing when to step into it. Golden hour will always have my heart. The lower sun creates the most beautiful shadows and that warm, golden tone which is so flattering. It instantly adds depth and softness, and it’s the perfect time to slip away for a few quiet portraits. Of course, it’s weather dependent!
At Lillibrooke, there are so many spaces that come alive with light. The open fields, the long driveway and the manor house itself all offer completely different moods depending on the time of day. I love finding pockets of light and shadow around the grounds that couples might not notice at first, but which translate beautifully on camera. Alongside natural light, I’ve also loved incorporating more flash, especially over the past year. During the day it can add a subtle lift and in the evening it brings a whole new energy to the images. It creates movement, atmosphere and that editorial edge I love, while still keeping everything feeling real and authentic.”
Personality in Portraits: Pets, Playfulness & Pure Joy
You often encourage couples to bring a little personality into their portraits. What’s the most fun or unusual idea a couple has tried here?
“I always love it when couples bring something personal into their portraits, and pets are by far one of my favourite ways they do that. Most often it’s their dogs, but I’ve even had a horse join us once, which was pretty unforgettable! Those moments instantly change the energy and couples truly feels like themselves. Including a pet adds such a beautiful layer of personality to the images. It turns portraits into something more meaningful and more ‘them’. There’s usually laughter, a bit of chaos, and so much genuine interaction, which is exactly what I look for.”
Lauren’s Best Advice for Meaningful Wedding Photography
Looking back at all of your weddings here — what advice would you give couples who want their own wedding photos to feel expressive and meaningful?
“I think the most important advice I can give is to be really mindful about who you choose to photograph your wedding. Of course, their images matter, but their personality matters just as much. Your photographer is with you for almost the entire day, often in the most intimate and emotional moments, so feeling comfortable around them is everything. I always say to my couples on our first call: choose someone you genuinely feel you could spend the whole day with. Someone who won’t get on your nerves, who puts you at ease, and who feels like a calming, positive presence. They should also be able to connect easily with your family and friends, blending in naturally and becoming part of the day rather than standing apart from it. When you have that connection, everything flows. You relax, you trust the process, and the images become more expressive, more honest, and far more meaningful. If you find a photographer whose work you love and whose personality feels like the right fit, you’re already winning.”
Final Thoughts
Working with Lauren Mitchell is always a joy. She brings warmth, artistry, and a genuine love for people to every wedding she photographs at Lillibrooke Manor. Her images don’t just document a wedding — they capture its soul.